Switch between relative, absolute, and mixed references

By default, a cell reference is relative. For example, when you refer to cell A2 from cell C2, you are actually referring to a cell that is two columns to the left (C minus A), and in the same row (2). A formula that contains a relative cell reference changes as you copy it from one cell to another. As an example, if you copy the formula =A2+B2 from cell C2 to D2, the formula in D2 adjusts downward by one row and becomes =A3+B3. If you want to maintain the original cell reference in this example when you copy it, you make the cell reference absolute by preceding the columns (A and B) and row (2) with a dollar sign ($). Then, when you copy the formula (=$A$2+$B$2) from C2 to D2, the formula stays exactly the same.

In less frequent cases, you may want to make a cell reference "mixed" by preceding either the column or the row value with a dollar sign to "lock" either the column or the row (for example, $A2 or B$3). To change the type of cell reference:

Select the cell that contains the formula.

In the formula bar , select the reference that you want to change.

Press F4 to switch between the reference types.

The following table summarizes how a reference type updates if a formula containing the reference is copied two cells down and two cells to the right.